WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. Everest Superintendent Kristine Gilmore was one of 14 superintendents chosen from across the nation to participate in a recent Washington, D.C., educational round-table event.

The event was hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and the Alliance for Excellent Education’s Future Ready Schools. Participants were selected because of their districts’ commitment to implementing research-based digital learning strategies.

Gilmore was chosen because the DCE district was identified as an early adopter that is leading educational transformation and is committed to preparing all students — particularly those who are underserved — with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. The district launched its One-to-One Learning initiative two years ago, providing every student with an iPad and adopting innovative digital teaching and learning strategies.

The district also has established a Digital Leadership Corps composed of teachers and administrators who work directly with Discovery Education to learn how to adapt digital technologies and personalized learning strategies within the classroom.

“We began these new initiatives because it was clear that technology was changing the future of the workplace in leaps and bounds; our local business leaders continue to confirm that,” Gilmore said.

The 14 superintendents discussed their experiences implementing personalized digital learning strategies and discussed opportunities for improvement. They met with Dan Domenech, executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association, who is a leader in personalized education and the author of the book "Personalizing 21st Century Education."

U.S. Secretary of Education John King Jr. joined the superintendents for a brainstorming session focused on the high school educational experience.

“It was an honor to be chosen to represent our district and share ideas with educational innovators from across the United States,” Gilmore said. “Each of us represented very different school districts — from large districts in San Diego to small rural districts in Wyoming — but we shared common experiences. All of us realize that we need to transform education in order to prepare our students for careers that will, without a doubt, require students to be competent with changing technologies, prepared to problem-solve real-world challenges and able to communicate and collaborate with one another.”

Research indicates that 70 percent of careers in 2020 will require science, technology, engineering and math skills that require creative and critical thinking.

When King asked Gilmore to speak about DCE Senior High, she shared the school’s refined definition of success.

“We don’t measure student success based on one standardized test, like the ACT. Tests alone can’t tell you how prepared a student is to face the future. We determine whether a student is future-ready by assessing whether they can apply what they have learned to solve realistic challenges. We provide as many hands-on learning opportunities as possible; we provide Advanced Placement and dual credit courses that help them earn post-secondary education credits. We offer internships, and we have established partnerships with local businesses and organizations that expose students to career opportunities. We do everything we can to show students what they can be so they can start defining who they want to be.”